April 16, 2011

We're back home, uploading video and photos. I'll have something up soon.

There was a good crowd, especially considering the weather. There were plenty of tea party people and even more counter-protesters. The counter-protesters were intent on drowning out the tea party speakers — especially Sarah Palin — with bells, whistles, and drums and with chants. The chant "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!" was predominant.

Hello again to the dozen or so various random friendly readers who came up and spoke to us. Sorry I don't remember everyone's name but I'm sure you know who you were. And are.

Yeah, that's one thing I want to say - you Tea Party people really seem to know who you are. For one thing, I noticed, you are the people who respectfully take your hats off when the National Anthem is sung and the Pledge is spoken. You're also unfazed by counter-demonstrators ringing their bells, blowing their vulvuzulas, and tweeting their whistles.

Well, not to get all psychological, but one characteristic that a lot of those on the American left seem to share is an intense concern with what other people think of them, especially Europeans and Officially Oppressed Minorities. Looking good in the eyes of such people is a dream come true.

I assume that they assume their 'opponents' have the same mental tic, and therefore planting the thought that somebody, somewhere, thinks "You ought to be ashamed!!" will cause agonizing bouts of self-reappraisal, leading to a total collapse of worldview, from which, phœnix-like, the Truth will emerge.

Well, not to get all psychological, but one characteristic that a lot of those on the American left seem to share is an intense concern with what other people think of them, especially Europeans and Officially Oppressed Minorities.

I met a German once who was seriously indignant over the men in shorts issue. "They gamble in shorts!" he cried, regaling us with his trip to Las Vegas.

Madison lefties have a long and rich history with shutting down free speech:

October 25, 1982:

Black Panthers leader turned born again Christian Eldridge Cleaver delivers a speech sponsored by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon related Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP). Violence between CARP and Progressive Labor Party members results in 8 arrests for disorderly conduct, and Cleaver cutting his speech short.

The counter-protesters were intent on drowning out the tea party speakers — especially Sarah Palin — with bells, whistles, and drums and with chants. The chant "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!" was predominant.

Wherein you may believe you have the right to speak, but where is it written you have the right to be heard?

Trooper: There are variations on that idea about calling waiters "sir" that are intended as compliments in that it demonstrates a fundamental respect for fellow citizens as, again fundamentally, equals regardless of class. I guess this is one of those things that can be seen in more than one way.

"Wherein you may believe you have the right to speak, but where is it written you have the right to be heard?"

Good enough, but it doesn't make the shouters into something moral and upstanding simply because they have the right to do what they do. Everyone has a *right* to be an asshole. Doesn't make them not an asshole.

And there ought to be at least some right to *hear* if not to be heard. Palin being drowned out is not the same as some random person who came to hear her being prevented from doing so by someone else who feels the need to make a choice for them about what ideas they shouldn't be allowed to listen to.

Who are they do impose their values on others?

I'm guessing that Palin could be heard anyway, but does that change the nature of the protesters desire to control other people's choices?

(I won't say "counter-protesters" because I'm pretty sure that the rally was a rally rather than a protest.)

I saw a guy in his early 20's at the rally with a sign taped to his chest saying; "I just finished Sarah Palin's coloring book". If it took him that long to finish the book it just proves that the school system does not have the kids as a priority.

What is the deal with that recurring “Shame!” theme? I don't quite get what is being perceived on the left as shameful. (I mean, other then the audacity of questioning the sweetheart pacts with the public unions.)

Well, I just got back from a counter protest against the global warming nut jobs.....Oh....wait....it was a classic hot rod and car show. Maybe it is the same thing.

We had a way better time than youse guys in Madison. The sun was out. Hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks. Among my favorites were a modified Studebaker with a drop dead gorgeous paint job and a fabulous 1932 Packard and a 1949 Cadillac.

We didn't chant or blow "vulvuzulas" (which sounds kind of nasty). Instead we listened to old rock music, sat on the grass in the sun in our summer clothes and ate barbeque ribs.

After the show....the cruise....This is the anti pro-global warming part. Everyone going slowing around the main drag of the town in their hot rods. Gunning their engines. The rumble of the vehicles (most of which are lucky to get that 8 miles per gallon that Obama whines about) made the windows of the buildings shake. You could feel it inside your body when they went by.

It was to bring a tear to your eye, in a really good way.

We drove our 67 Chevy Stepside that has a new V8 crate motor, lowered suspension, new disk brakes, flow master mufflers and other improvements to numerous to mention. We get 16 mpg. Take that and stuff it into your pipe Obama.

Meade said, “For one thing, I noticed, you are the people who respectfully take your hats off when the National Anthem is sung and the Pledge is spoken.”

See, see, I always knew those tea party types were radicals!!! They took their hats off and I bet they even knew the words. And how dare they start off without saying, “Hey, hey, ho, ho…” (sarcasm off).

Really though I’m sure the press will manage a way to spin how angry the tea party folks were and how well the police protected those helpless union supporters. And I’m sure if any bullets are found the Dane Cnty DA will drag Palin in for questioning. Thank you Ann and Meade for braving the weather and those crazed right wing types.

JohnJ wrote: What is the deal with that recurring “Shame!” theme? I don't quite get what is being perceived on the left as shameful

I believe the Left feels that any view that's different from theirs = shameful. So, to some extent, the TEA Party's mere existence "merits" public shaming. I also think that they don't think about what they're chanting. They sing along with whatever the rest of the sheep are baah-ing.

I couldn't hear the speakers very well, but I'm pretty sure that they were yelling "Shame!" while one guy was talking about his grandmother being on the Titanic. SIGH.

I also think that they are recycling their material and need to write some new, applicable chants.

At least they've stopped using "Be Right Back!" They yelled that at Mike Tobin while trying to interrupt his newscast, and the poor guy had no idea what they were referencing.

I attended the Tea Party Rally today - Saturday 4/16/11.We were out-numbered.We were out-shouted several times.We were THERE, and Yes they were as well.Should we have done better - I think we could have - I think we should have.BUT, the for those of us that support Scott Walker --- We were there! and we'll be there the next time as well.The last two times I have driven to Madison to show my support for Scott Walker I have been outnumbered. Does that make me feel I am on the losing end of this battle?NOOOO!!It means there's too damn many people living off of MY TAXES with the time to go to Madison.It means I need to go twice as often and scream twice as loud and VOTE.THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED.NEXT TIME BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS!!

Joanna: The shouts of "SHAME" were directed at those who support law makers who break the law, refuse to adhere to our state constitution and subvert the Democratic process.

Walker is a disgrace. He is a bully who is pushing an extreme ideology against the voice of the people. Instead of viewing this as the Left trying to "drown out" the message from the Right - maybe try to see this as the TRUE majority are making sure they are heard and seen.

Will you still support Walker when he rolls out the "Michigan Model", fires elected officials and replaces them with employees of corporaions who contributed to his campaign? Because that is his next move - just watch.

Wawawa....ramming legislation through in the dark of night, admitting you lied in front of a congressional commission, admitting on Fox News (Fitzgerald) that the collective bargaining stuff is all about politics and nothing about the budget, cutting benefits to the poor and disabled, breaks for the rich....yep lots of integrity there, so brag about your guy if you want, this will be short lived and I hope you are not planning on fishing or swimming in one of the lakes or streams that will have water regulations rolled back 25 yrs and good luck with those low wage jobs that may show up and leave people without benefits....yep, its all about the future, just not yours....

I saw a guy in his early 20's at the rally with a sign taped to his chest saying; "I just finished Sarah Palin's coloring book".

What does that even mean? That Ms. Palin is so stupid that she plays with coloring books, but for some reason he took it from her and colored in it himself (but is not corespondingly stupid along with mean)? That Ms. Palin wrote a coloring book? (how is that an insult? It sounds like a nice project for the kids.)

Yeh, the only people I can see there who should be feel ashamed of their behavior are those who try to drown out speakers by yelling "shame", ringing cowbells, etc.

The problem for them is that their antics are costing them many more votes than they are winning. The more they act up, and try to suppress speech they dislike, the more the centrist voters are seeing who the kids are and who the adults are, and are likely to vote accordingly.

BTW - we didn't have classic cars here, but neither did we have bad weather (or is that considered good weather in the upper midwest?) But I did get up to the ski area (Heavenly Valley) that I can see from here, and got in a couple of hours of skiing this morning, before it got too slushy. Eight more days now before they close, and counting.

Walker is a disgrace. He is a bully who is pushing an extreme ideology...Hmm. Pushing extreme ideologies by using bully tactics. Reminds me of a group at the Capitol today...

I hope you are not planning on fishing or swimming in one of the lakes or streams that will have water regulations rolled back 25 yrs. The WI lake where I swim and fish has been monitored by UW scientists and has shown no ecological changes for the past 100+ years. I think it'll be just fine.

"I just finished Sarah Palin's coloring book". /What does that even mean?I stopped that guy and ASKED him what the sign meant. He would not make eye contact and refused to reply. I guess he didn't know either.

DBQ: Sounds like a fantastic way to spend a sunny California afternoon! On another post they are remarking that lefties hate Palin because she is happy and I think that is an accurate observation. Lefties hate happiness and would cringe at the hot rod show, at the barbecue, at the people enjoying themselves on a beautiful American afternoon. Your generally sunny outlook and willingness to call things are they are always brings a smile to my face because I know that the lefties on this blog hate that.

'Walker is a disgrace. He is a bully who is pushing an extreme ideology against the voice of the people.'

You don't determine what the voice of the people is. The voice of the people is not represented by people with the free time to attend a demonstration no matter what their numbers, noise, or clever signs.

The voice of the people is expressed through the ballot box. Where the voice of the people chose Walker to speak for them last fall. And more recently elected Prosser to safeguard that choice

Too true; the other side needs to learn to do the same if they hope for any chance...

When nixon/agnew/ailes/safire said ~ America, love it or leave it, unfortunately for them, all the liberals stayed! lol

And when cheney/bush/turdblossom said you're either w/us or against us and tried quelch free speech by having the FBI weed out all "undesirables" every time Bush43 gave a speech etc., liberals were unfazed.

As "we" had seen this movie before ie the Rep/conservatives m.o. for the past (40+) years.

Always interesting to read what the side thinks. I must say the use of trivial name calling "Madison lefties", "Spoiled brat snotnose punkass bitches" etc. is really lame and doesn't advance the dialogue (not that I'm sure it can be at this point).

Maybe you folks on the other side don't understand we perceive the agenda you are pushing is exactly what you accuse our side of doing (ie: class warfare, forcing right wing ideology and government down our throat, using our tax money to support your private religious agenda).

To say you wouldn't "act" the way those "liberals" would is both hypocritical and a lie. I give it to that you might not do it directly (maybe don't have the motivation or courage) but those you chose to represent you do and you support them and and sit back "silently" as they act for you.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is our goals have a lot in common. Unfortunately we allow the rhetoric, put forth by those with a different agenda, set the tone and until I see some change in that tone, real representative government I'm going to stand in the front line and fight for what I believe is just and right.